Primary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

BIG IDEA: In Christ, believers have a healthy relationship with God.

Focus: God’s perfection is the standard for righteousness and only He is truly righteous. Righteousness is one of God’s divine attributes, closely associated to His justice. Jesus is the only sinless one, the only righteous one and it is His righteousness that covers us at salvation. This is the Great Exchange: He took our sin, paid the price of death on the cross and gave us His perfect righteousness so we can have access to God.

Prompting Questions: How is the word righteous/ness understood through the Bible? Contrast an unhealthy relationship with God versus a healthy relationship with God. Looking at the Bible, how does a person receive righteousness?

Primary Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

BIG IDEA: Jesus welcomes children into the kingdom.

Focus: The disciples tried to keep parents from bothering Jesus with their children, but Jesus corrected them. Children are welcome in the kingdom of God. In fact, there is much we can learn about genuine faith from kids. This tugs on a thread: how we shepherd and care for kids in our church and community matters.

Prompting Questions: Why did the disciples rebuke the parents bringing children to Jesus? What do we have to learn from children about genuine faith and the kingdom of God? As a church, how will we support children’s ministry in a way that welcomes all families to discover the gospel and grow in it?

Primary Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

BIG IDEA: Jesus empowers us to be neighbors toward everyone, especially our enemies.

Focus: There seems to be two layers to this parable. The first is obvious: followers of Jesus should serve and help others who are in need. The second is seen in the light of the gospel: Jesus is the Samaritan, the outcast, who helps those who are “half dead”, us. It was the Jewish religious leaders who refused to help. Jesus is the ultimate neighbor.

Prompting Questions: What prompted this interaction and parable? How did Jews define “neighbor” and did Jesus challenge that idea? What are barriers to people showing hospitality and serving others?

Cross References: Luke 1:76-79; Galatians 5:14; Leviticus 19:18